Dick Lugar: “Madam President, let me commence by thanking our distinguished chairman, Senator Harkin, for his leadership. It is not…”

“Madam President, let me commence by thanking our distinguished chairman, Senator Harkin, for his leadership. It is not an easy task to be chairman of a committee during a farm bill consideration, given all of the requirements for equity and forethought throughout America. Equally, the chairman of the House committee and the ranking member, Mr. Combest and Mr. Stenholm, have guided a very large committee for its consideration and an equally complex conference. Those who have served on the staffs of both the majority and minority, in both Houses, have given extraordinary service in the past few weeks. Sometimes they alone, really, have understood how comprehensive and how complex this issue is, and they have been extraordinarily helpful to Members, members of the press, and other constituent groups. This bill comes to the floor with an extraordinary amount of work and devotion by persons who have strong motives and strong ideals. Let me point out, as I have during the debate in committee as well as on the floor, very strong achievements have occurred.”